“By preserving Haofa- the indigenous canine breed of Tangkhul community of Manipur, we are not only protecting a rare and endangered species but also preserving an important part of cultural heritage. Haofa is associated with the rich culture and history of Tangkhul people ” stated Minister Khashim Vashum.
TFM Ukhrul Correspondent
The first edition of Phungcham Haofa Phanit 2022 was held on 8 December 2022 at Phungcham village, Ukhrul District, Manipur and was attended by Khashim Vashum, Minister Veterinary and Animal Husbandry and Transport, Government of Manipur as chief guest.
Organised by Phungcham Haofa Lovers Association in collaboration with Phungcham Village Authority, Phungcham Village Development Committee, Phungcham Shanao Long and Phungcham Katmamnao Mayar Ngala Long, the celebration was also attended by Dr. S. Basanta Singh, Director of Research, Central Agricultural University, Imphal as functional president. NG. Ibotombi Singh, Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Manipur and Dr. Ranadhir Singh, Professor In-charge Livestick Unit, NEC Model Farm, Central Agricultural University, Imphal as guests of honour. Col. Manoj Shinde, Commandant of 35 Assam Rifles, Somsai was the special guest of the day.
Phungcham Hoafa Lovers Association during the celebration had submitted a memorandum to Minister of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Manipur, requesting for declaring Phungcham Haofa Festival as a yearly event under the sponsorship of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department Government of Manipur. In this regard, Minister Khashim Vashum assured the gathering that he would support for continuance of the festival as a yearly event from this year onward and promised to extend all possible help from the Department and State Government.
“By preserving Haofa- the indigenous canine breed of Tangkhul community of Manipur, we are not only protecting a rare and endangered species but also preserving an important part of cultural heritage. Haofa is associated with the rich culture and history of Tangkhul people ” stated Minister Khashim Vashum.
Ursula Graham Bower had vividly recorded in her memoir way back in 1939. Other than that there is no any written record on Haofa. Since time immemorial, they were bred for hunting and for companion by the Tangkhul community. Considered on the verge of extinction, there are very few Haofa left today. Their customary jobs were dissolved with advancement and human development and relatively few individuals could bear to keep a dog as a pet. Lately, their numbers have rapidly decline. But some individual and group of people from Phungcham have started breeding Haofa to revive their dwindling numbers. Dr. Basanta Singh emphasised on the need to conserve indigenous animals of Manipur such as Sangai, Pony and Haofa. He also assured that the varsity in consultation with the State Government would popularise Haofa.
During the 4th edition of Shirui Lily Festival 2022 the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur, Shri. La Ganesan and the Hon’ble CM of Manipur, Shri. Nongthombam Biren Singh were kind enough to inspect the Hoafa displayed by Phungcham Hoafa Lovers Association during the festival. Dr. NG. Ibotombi Singh stated that “so far 360 dog breeds are recognised by International Canine Federation (Fédération Cynologique Internationale). 4 years back during the meeting of ICAR North East Zone at Gauhati, we have given a proposal for recognizing Hoafa as a registered canine breed. However, the real process kickstart only on May 25, 2022, when Hon’ble Governor of Manipur, Shri La Ganesan and Hon’ble CM of Manipur, Shri N. Biren Singh during Shirui Lily Festival 2022, visited at one of the stall where Haofa were displayed by Phungchan Haofa Lovers Association. They showed so much interest in conserving the rare indigenous breed and instructed the department for immediate research work and at the same time to take up process for recognition and registration of Haofa as a canine breed. And on 5th July 2022, the research work was completed and submitted to NBAGR for recognition and registration of Haofa as a canine breed.”
Registration of Haofa as a recognised canine breed would be a big step in preserving and promoting Hoafa. The Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department of Manipur and Central Agricultural University, Imphal had already filed an application for registration of Hoafa at National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) at Haryana. Once, the Haofa breed got its registration, the breeding and rearing of Haofa would be a booming business in the near future since there is a great demand for this canine breed. The CAU Team visted Phungcham village on 3rd February 2021 amd have collected the detail information of Haofa such as general description, management practices, physical characters, performance, utility and other information specific to the breed. Dr. Ranadhir Singh informed the gathering that “the process of registration of Haofa is at the final stage.
Maintaining the purity of Haofa breed has become a big challenge to rearers since the villagers are yet to frame a proper guideline and policy at local level. Haofa in nature is gentle, obedient and possessed good hunting skill and very powerful sense of smell. Lately, many people have develop an interest in rearing Haofa. Even, the Assam Rifles have started ordering for procurement of Haofa for their Dog Training Centre at Jorhat, Assam. Col. Manoj Shinde stated “it is an eye opener for everyone of us, that we have such a wonderful canine breed. It is a matter of pride and honour to witness the kind of fervor you have shown.”
There is also an urgent need to set a standard of anatomy and morphology for Haofa for organising a competition in the future. How a perfect Haofa should be like or look like. Competition is necessary to better the breed.
Phungcham Hoafa Lovers Association (PHLA) has expressed immense gartitude and welcomed the announcement made by Khashim Vashum, Hon’ble Minister Veterinary and Animal Husbandry and Transport, Government of Manipur that the Phungcham Haofa Phanit will be a yearly event. PHLA stated that “it is a great step and a big encouragement for everyone interested in rearing Haofa breed. With the Haofa population hovering around 1000 in numbers, there is no doubt that it is an endangered breed. And such announcement is a timely intervention to increse its number and save Haofa from extinction.”